The secret Jewish history of ‘Lord of the Rings’
J.R.R. Tolkien said he didn't intend to make his dwarves Jewish, but evidence suggests otherwise
J.R.R. Tolkien
The Latest
-
Culture -
The Schmooze Happy Hobbit Day, the Jewish Way
Every year, a great day dawns on Middle Earth. I’m speaking of course, of September 22 — Hobbit Day, for those who didn’t grow up on a steady diet of tales of rings, angry wizards, and small creatures with big feet. According to “The Hobbit” and “Lord of the Rings,” both Bilbo and Frodo Baggins are…
-
Culture Of Hobbits and The Golem
Sometimes, a bearded, money-grubbing dwarf is just a bearded, money-grubbing dwarf and not an evil, anti-Semitic stand-in for Jews. Undoubtedly some will view “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” — the first in a trilogy of films based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s book “The Hobbit,” directed by Peter Jackson — and find in Tolkien’s mythical creatures not-so-subtly…
-
The Schmooze Esperanto, the ‘Worldwide Yiddish’
What do fantasy writer J.R.R. Tolkien, Yugoslavian dictator Josip Broz Tito, Brazilian soccer star Pelé and financier George Soros have in common? They all share an interest in Esperanto, an invented language whose goal is to unite humankind. “Nekredebla,” you might be thinking (that’s Esperanto for “incredible”). But not so quick — other well known…
-
Life Did Tolkien Take a Page From Purim?
Jewschool’s Ben Dreyfus notes a striking similarity between J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy masterpiece “The Lord of the Rings” and the Purim story: Haftarat Zachor (which is read twice this year here in Jerusalem) + Megillat Esther = The Lord of the Rings. One of them is totally plagiarized. After winning the war with Sauron, Isildur is…
Explore
Most Popular
- 1
Opinion Trump’s NYC rally was a morally disgusting glimpse of the MAGA future
- 2
FIRST PERSON As a rabbi, he helped others mourn. So why wouldn’t his daughter say kaddish for him?
- 3
Opinion Here’s why Orthodox Jews are loyal to Trump — even if they don’t love him
- 4
Opinion I was a Bernie supporter. This year, I’m voting Trump. Here’s why liberal Jews like me made the switch
In Case You Missed It
-
Shop the Forward Store
100% of profits support our journalism
